Across that period Chichester test centre carried out 4,297 tests – 2,289 for women and 2,008 for men.

There were 2,331 passes, at a rate of 54.2 per cent. That’s higher than Great Britain’s average of 46 per cent.

The test centre with the highest pass rate was Golspie, in the Scottish Highlands, where more than three quarters of learners were awarded their licences, while in The Pavilion, in Birmingham, less than a third were successful, making it the toughest.

On December 4 last year the driving test was changed, with many observers saying the new test is tougher than the old one.

Learners now must navigate for 20 minutes using a sat-nav, and explain how to test the brakes, clean the windscreen and demist your windows while driving. And rookie drivers do seem to be finding it harder. In March 2018 the pass rate was 51.6 per cent, compared with a pass rate of 56.8 per cent in April 2017, under the old test.

The data also shows that 53 per cent of people taking their test for the first time managed to pass, with 44 learners succeeding first time with no minor faults. Drivers taking the test can pass with up to 15 minor faults, such as not checking your mirror at the right time.

DVSA deputy chief driving examiner, Gordon Witherspoon, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

“All candidates are assessed to the same level and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.

“We expect candidates and instructors to become more familiar with the new test and well continue to monitor the impact of the changes.”

Despite appearing to be better drivers, at least at the start, than women, a study of insurance deals shows that men often pay higher premiums than women as they have more accidents – although pricing differently based on gender was banned by the EU in 2012.